Is Screen Printing Vegan? What You Need to Know

You may be a business committed to animal welfare or a charity that wants to make more conscious product choices. One question we hear often is: Is screen printing vegan? As more individuals and organisations strive to align their values with ethical, cruelty-free practices, including how their products are made, this is an important question. In this article, we cover everything you need to know.

Is screen printing vegan?

Screen printing can be vegan, but that depends on several factors, including the ink ingredients, the type of garment, and the overall production process.

While it’s a simple question, the answer is not quite as straightforward. The reality is that screen printing materials and methods can vary widely between suppliers. There is no universal vegan certification in place, so it’s not always easy to determine what’s truly animal-free.

We understand the importance of informed, ethical choices at A.M. Custom Clothing. Transparency is at the heart of what we do.

In this article, we’ll break down the key considerations, starting with the inks used in screen printing and what makes them vegan or not.

What makes an ink vegan or not vegan?

Here are a few key factors that help us to determine whether an ink is vegan:

• Does it contain animal-derived ingredients? Some inks commonly used in screen printing contain ingredients such as glycerin, gelatine, shellac, or bone char. All of which can be derived from animal sources. For example, shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug and is used in various industries, including printing.
• Has the ink been tested on animals during development? Even if you choose ingredients free from animal products, some ink formulations may still be tested on animals during the development process. Animal testing remains a practice in the development of chemicals and pigments for industrial use.
• Is the ink certified? Unfortunately, only a handful of ink manufacturers offer vegan certifications, such as those approved by PETA. Vegan certification is still rare in the screen printing industry. You can search for cruelty-free products here.

Very few ink manufacturers offer transparency or certification on a large scale. Therefore, it can be difficult to definitively confirm whether an ink is vegan without detailed supplier insight.

Are screen printing inks vegan by default?

Now that we’ve covered what makes an ink vegan, it’s natural to ask: Are most screen printing inks vegan by default?

The short answer is no.

Unless a supplier provides a clear ingredient list or vegan certification, you should assume screen printing inks may contain animal-derived components.

Ink formulations vary across suppliers. It is very difficult to be 100% sure that any ink is entirely animal-free without verification. Which is why it is essential to work with a print provider you can communicate with and trust.

Plastisol inks

• Plastisol inks are the most commonly used inks in screen printing.
• They produce vibrant and durable colours.
• They are made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and plasticisers.
• Often not vegan: some plasticisers and additives may include animal-derived ingredients.

Water-based inks

• Water-based ink is a more sustainable alternative to plastisol.
• They often use plant-based or synthetic ingredients.
• Not guaranteed to be vegan: although they can be vegan, you cannot be sure unless the ink is certified vegan or disclosed by the manufacturer.

Discharge and specialty inks

• These types of ink are used for specific effects or finishes. They often contain more complex chemical formulations.
• The least likely to be vegan-friendly: due to the variety of specialised additives used.

We work closely with our suppliers at A.M. Custom Clothing and can help identify vegan-friendly alternatives where available.

If using vegan inks is a priority for your brand, we’re more than happy to guide you through the available alternatives and ensure your printing aligns with your values.

You have to consider the entire process, not just the ink

It’s easy to only consider the ink, but to truly ensure vegan integrity, the entire production process needs to be taken into consideration.

Here are some often-overlooked areas where animal-derived ingredients can appear:

The garments themselves

Even if your chosen fabric is cotton or synthetic, some garments are dyed or treated with finishes that may include animal-derived ingredients such as:

• Casein: a milk protein used in fabric finishes.
• Lanolin: from sheep’s wool, often used in softeners.

Production additives

There are various chemicals used in the screen printing process that may also contain animal-derived components, including:

• Cleaning agents.
• Emulsions.
• Treatments or coatings on the screen itself.

At A.M. Custom Clothing, we take all of this into account. From selecting your product to final print finish, we work to ensure that each stage aligns with your ethical and vegan values.

Can I source garments from vegan suppliers?

One of the most effective ways to support vegan values and minimise animal-derived materials in your supply chain is to source garments from vegan-certified or vegan-friendly suppliers.

We offer a wide range of ethically made clothing options from brands that:

• Avoid animal-derived materials and dyes.
• Do not test on animals.
• Meet high environmental and labour standards.

If vegan sourcing is important to your brand, we’re here to help you find the right fit, without compromising on quality, ethics, or style. Browse products here.

Our position on vegan inks and ethical printing at A.M. Custom Clothing

We work closely with a wide range of leading ink suppliers, each with its own formulations. While some of the water-based inks we use are vegan-friendly, we cannot guarantee that all inks in our supply chain meet vegan standards.

This is due to a lack of formal certifications. Such as PETA approval from most ink manufacturers, even when no animal-derived ingredients are present. Without verified certification or full ingredient disclosure, complete assurance simply isn’t possible.

If vegan certification is essential for your project, we’re happy to explore suitable options. Share your requirements with us, and we’ll work with you to find the best solution that aligns with your ethical and sustainability goals.

Just contact us for further information.

Let’s look at ethical printing beyond vegan inks

Vegan-friendly inks and vegan-friendly screen printing are significant steps towards a broader commitment to ethical production.

We are considering not just what goes into the ink, but how the entire process impacts people and the planet. Here’s what that means in practice:

Consideration of our environmental impact: We favour and use water-based inks where possible, as they generally have a lower carbon footprint, use fewer harsh chemicals, and reduce water pollution during cleanup.

Safety first: The materials and methods we choose are not only better for the environment, they’re safer for the people who work with them every day.

We are mindful of biodegradability: We’re aware of what happens to our products after use. More eco-friendly inks and printing processes tend to break down more naturally at the end of a garment’s life cycle.

Choosing vegan products is valuable, but when paired with environmental responsibility and fair labour practices, it becomes a truly powerful change.

Are you ready to explore vegan-friendly merchandise for your brand?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer; what we believe matters most is working with a trustworthy supplier. At A.M. Custom Clothing, we’re committed to helping you make informed choices that align with your brand values.

Whether you’re looking for vegan inks, sustainable garments, or both, we’re here to support your goals every step of the way.